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The Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0.
It was a small miracle that I was able to witness the entire game. I had to skip out of the press conference for the Goldencents team at Santa Anita just to ensure I would get to the Ravine in time. There was an accident on the 210 freeway that had things backed up for a bit. And you know how things can get around the Stadium. Thankfully I used to live two hills away so I know all the shortcuts which allowed me to get to my seat 10 minutes before first pitch.
So what do you say about a 1-0 game that took just over three hours to complete?
Clayton Kershaw. There's obviously something wrong with him. Not only did he not pitch a complete game, he issued a walk. A walk!
Kershaw did go seven innings giving up two hits while striking out nine. For those who are counting that's 16 scoreless innings striking out 16 batters and walking only one batter.
"We have the same ERA," Luis Cruz joked.
Kershaw did admit he maybe wasn't quite on point as Opening Day.
"My fastball wasn't great tonight," Kershaw said. "I was reaching back and didn't have a whole lot in the tank for whatever reason. But I was able to keep them a little off balance. I got some big 3-2 strikeouts with the slider."
A follower on Twitter asked this:
Remember when he was good but wild? RT @JimmyBramlett Something is really wrong with Kershaw. He just issued a walk. #Dodgers
— Stephen Caver (@ATXDodger) April 7, 2013
Back then if Kershaw didn't have his fastball, it was a tough night for him. But now he has such a grasp of his secondary pitches that even when he claims the fastball isn't working for him he can still make mince meat of the opponent.
Offense Yet again it was not a pretty night at the plate for the Dodgers. The only exception was Mark Ellis in the third inning hitting a single to shallow left field. However shallow it was made no difference to Carl Crawford standing on second. He sped his way to the plate easily scoring standing up.
The Dodgers went 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position. But I guess there's one bright spot: they leaped the Houston Astros for 26th in batting average in the Major Leagues at .202.
"Obviously you can't sit here and go everything's great," manager Don Mattingly said. "The track-record guys you don't really worry about." He's talking about Matt Kemp there who has started the season in a 1-for-18 (.051) slump. Although he did get booed when he grounded into a double play to end the seventh inning.
"Cruz is the guy who doesn't quite have the same track record, so you worry about him a little bit," Mattingly added saying that he was afraid it will affect his confidence.
"I'll be fine," Cruz responded saying that his defense is equally crucial to the team.
I'll be fine too. Hopefully.
